The California Super Bloom
Kyle Henry • March 8, 2023
The best places in the Bay Area to view wildflowers
Don't miss out on the wildflowers this season. After all the rain, it promises to be an incredible site to see! Use our handy guide to find sites near you, and explore others around the Bay Area.
When to see the blooms
- Bay Area: Peak season begins in late April and lasts through mid-June, according to Visit California. Wildflowers can typically be found at several parks across the region, including Mount Diablo State Park in Walnut Creek, Mount Tamalpais State Park in Mill Valley, and along Highway 1 in Half Moon Bay. Other sites include Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in Oakland, Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve, Chimney Rock Trail in Marin County, Edgewood Park and the wildflower trail at Russian Ridge Preserve in Redwood City.
- Central Coast: Peak season in the Central Coast is from mid-March to mid-April. According to Visit California, sites that have produced several wildflower blooms include Montaña de Oro State Park and Carrizo Plain National Monument in San Luis Obispo County, and the area along Shell Creek Road, near Santa Margarita in northern San Luis Obispo County.
- High Sierra: Peak season in the high Sierra comes later in the year, in June and July. In June, visitors may find western peony or blue camas lilies while hiking the Sagehen Creek Trail near Truckee. In July, hikers have found scarlet gilia, Indian paintbrush, blue flax and Sierra lilies along the Carson Pass Trail, east of the Kirkwood Ski Resort.
Wildflower Hotline
Starting in around March, hear weekly recorded wildflower reports, narrated by Emmy Award-winning actor Joe Spano, the Voice of the Wild Flower Hotline, at 818 768-1802 ext 7. New reports are released every Friday, March through May! The acclaimed
Theodore Payne Wild Flower Hotline, founded in 1983, offers free weekly online and recorded updates — posted each Friday from March through May — on the best locations for viewing spring wildflowers in Southern and Central California. All locations are on easily accessible public lands and range from urban to wild, distant to right here in Los Angeles. We balance the spectacle of annual flower displays with perennial plants and their spring color.
Etiquette and tips on viewing blooms
The California Department of Parks and Recreation has shared tips with people who plan to make a trip to see the wildflowers:
- Respect the landscape: Stay on designated trails whenever possible. Tread lightly, and don’t trample on or pick flowers.
- Understand the area: Cell coverage can be spotty in many areas, so prepare in advance. Read about the destination online and download a map, especially if you are visiting a desert. Pull off the road when you stop to view or photograph flowers. Leave roadways clear for vehicle traffic. Leave your itinerary and list of travelers with a friend or family member, to help rescuers find you if an emergency occurs.
- Check the weather: Check the forecast and prepare for all types of conditions, including bringing appropriate clothing and equipment.
- Know your limits: Bring food and water. Stay hydrated. Bring sunscreen, a hat and layers of clothing, and wear closed-toe shoes. If an emergency occurs, call 911.
Acknowledgements
In creating this blog, we gathered information from several different sources. We would like to thank The California Department of Parks and Recreation for their resources; The San Francisco Chronicle for their article which provides sites, viewing timing, and tips; Bright Lights of America for their extensive list, wealth of information, as well as flower viewing etiquette; California.com for their information on parks across the state; and KQED for their Bay Area specific information.
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Kyle Henry
Director of Marketing
Kyle.H@CarolineHuo.com
650.727.1308
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